Lourdes Travel Guide

Stay at the Citea Lourdes -- they have a kitchenette in every room and you can buy food at the local supermarket and cook some of your meals to save money!  The hotel is clean, beds are comfortable, and it's located on the bridge by the river, less than a 5 minute walk to the Sanctuaries.  We had a balcony facing the river -- great views! You can walk very easily through the town without having to take any public transportation.  There are nightly Marian processions at the Sanctuaries/Grotto (except during the Triduum -- great time to visit, less crowds!).  You can really feel a great peace and electricity through this town.  It's at the foot of the Pyrenees so the views are gorgeous.

Once you get to Lourdes it's easy to visit the sactuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, if you get lost locals will let you know or guide you to the place. Easy to exchange money and the merchants speak many languages so you won't get lost in translation. What to buy? Well, souvenirs, of course anbd you have a wide variety of shops. the restaurants offer lots of specials and the waiters are patient enough to explain you the dishes, thought most of the time there's no need for an explanation since the restaurants show pictures in their menus. What to take? depends on the season u go but wear tennis shoes, visiting the sanctuary takes up a lot to time and wallking but it's worthwhile

I think the big thing to see here is the shrine dedicated to Mary, who appeared to Saint Bernadette many, many moons ago in the grotto.  Aside from the shrine is the thousands of people who come in pilgrimage to the site for various reasons.  I've only been to this place twice, but both times I've gone, it was foggy-ish, but I could imagine that if it were clear, the natural beauty surrounding the region would be a sight to see!